Bad Axe 16

HORNBY HOLLOW CREEK· Vernon, Wisconsin· Built 1965· Earth· 44 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Debris Control Local Government

Key Takeaway

Bad Axe 16 is classified as low hazard in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 44 ft (taller than 95.4% in WI)
Dam Length510 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage577 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge402 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDWI00412

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 17, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: WIDNR

Ownership

Vernon County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bad Axe 16?

Bad Axe 16 is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bad Axe 16?

Bad Axe 16 is owned by Vernon County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bad Axe 16 built?

Bad Axe 16 was completed in 1965, making it 61 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bad Axe 16?

Bad Axe 16 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Debris Control. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bad Axe 16?

Bad Axe 16 has a dam height of 44 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bad Axe 16 last inspected?

Bad Axe 16 was last inspected on May 17, 2016. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.